Three teens charged in Snohomish killing

EVERETT — Three teenagers have been charged with aggravated first-degree murder in what Snohomish County prosecutors characterized as a revenge killing instigated by the youngest, a 15-year-old.

It was the oldest, however, Perry Marshall Rothermel, 18, of Puyallup, who repeatedly shot Lawrence Kloes, 49, an electrician, in the head during a robbery at his house in Snohomish, according to documents filed by prosecutors in Everett District Court.

Prosecutors have 30 days to decide whether to seek the death penalty against him and Jeremy Richard Boone, 16, of Sumner, who automatically faces trial as an adult.

The 15-year-old, who lived most recently in Bonney Lake and was described by investigators as the son of a former girlfriend and business associate of Kloes, faces court proceedings to determine whether he will be treated as an adult.

Short of execution, aggravated murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

According to investigators, the 15-year-old recruited Rothermel and Boone for the attack, angry that Kloes had reported him for past break-ins, thefts and theft attempts. Another motive for the killing was to prevent Kloes from reporting the attack, prosecutors wrote.